B-Hop leaving after this year

[Pony_Fan]

That's just about where I would expect him to be...passing to Carl English in the NBADL.

[Hoop Fan]

I'm sure most of you know all the circumstances, can see the future and have the kids best interest at heart. It doesnt hurt you if he passes on hundreds of thousands of dollars and then gets injured. If a guy has maxed out his body and potential, he has to think about that. Do you guys really think honing his fundamentals against WAC/NCUSA competiion is going to take him to another level? In case you havent noticed, pro ball isn't exactly all about fundamentals anyway.

[scottsportshawaii]

I'm sure most of you know all the circumstances, can see the future and have the kids best interest at heart. It doesnt hurt you if he passes on hundreds of thousands of dollars and then gets injured. If a guy has maxed out his body and potential, he has to think about that. Do you guys really think honing his fundamentals against WAC/NCUSA competiion is going to take him to another level? In case you havent noticed, pro ball isn't exactly all about fundamentals anyway.

It is not necessarily only about honing his fundamentals or skills. You just bashed the WAC/NCUSA but he still isn't even regarded as the best in these two leagues. With an additional year, he will raise his stock and might actually be drafted. This will guarantee him money that will make a difference in his life. No matter how good he does in the NBA. Just making a few hundred thousand will not do this. Remember there are practically only two rounds in the NBA Draft.

If he is really that good and has the potential that you talk about then he take out an insurance policy on himself like Ashley Lelie did and will not have to worry about injury.
Just my 2 cents.

Mahalo,
Scott
www.sportshawaii.om
"Hawaii's Fan Based Sports Page"

Previous Sports Angel: Priscilla

[Hoop Fan]

so, where does he get the money to take out this Lloyds of London insurance policy? Again, easy for you to say. Lelie might have had more resources or more certain prospects to insure against. And I'm not bagging on the WAC, it is what it is though. My premise on Hopkins is one you wouldn't understand unless you saw him in high school and watch him play alot. Physically, he is aged beyond his years in my observation. He has a brother whose career was essentially ruined by injury.

Hopkins may or may not be better served by staying in school, its anybodys guess, but my point is there are always more circumstances to consider which most people dont do before shooting off their opinion.

[rich_alum]

His best interest would be served by getting a degree and improving his chances of getting drafted his senior year....period

[scottsportshawaii]

so, where does he get the money to take out this Lloyds of London insurance policy? Again, easy for you to say. Lelie might have had more resources or more certain prospects to insure against. And I'm not bagging on the WAC, it is what it is though. My premise on Hopkins is one you wouldn't understand unless you saw him in high school and watch him play alot. Physically, he is aged beyond his years in my observation. He has a brother whose career was essentially ruined by injury.

Hopkins may or may not be better served by staying in school, its anybodys guess, but my point is there are always more circumstances to consider which most people dont do before shooting off their opinion.

This type of insurance policy is usually not paid until the player graduates or turns professional. You usually have to be a pro prospect to get this deal.

Once again, I don't think it's about him getting better its about imporving his stock for the draft.

[Hoop Fan]

stock doesnt always rise. Ask Rich Alum. Hopkins is getting double teams and lots of defensive attention now. Our two senior big guys have a hard time holding their own against bigger teams. Next year will probably be a challenging year in all honesty unless we sign a mature or juco big guy. That can be frustrating for a guard and something to think about. Again, I'm not insisting I am right about anything, just its not as easy as saying period this or period that.

[StangEsq]

I'm sure most of you know all the circumstances, can see the future and have the kids best interest at heart. It doesnt hurt you if he passes on hundreds of thousands of dollars and then gets injured. If a guy has maxed out his body and potential, he has to think about that. Do you guys really think honing his fundamentals against WAC/NCUSA competiion is going to take him to another level? In case you havent noticed, pro ball isn't exactly all about fundamentals anyway.

If it's a matter of making $100K in europe or $50K in the "minors" here, then yeah, it would be in his best interest to finish out here and see if he can prove himself next year. If not, at least he can get his degree and work towards making $100K a year in a permanent career.

[scottsportshawaii]

Hopkins is getting double teams and lots of defensive attention now. Our two senior big guys have a hard time holding their own against bigger teams. Next year will probably be a challenging year in all honesty unless we sign a mature or juco big guy.

True Dat! His stock might not rise next season. Hopefully if he can draw doubleteams it might = to more wins for SMU next year. Double team=someone is open. Hehe Good point Hoop Fan, I just feel that the risk of his stock rising is much less then him making an NBA squad next season.

[Corso]

As a perimeter shooter, Hopkins looks like Reggie Miller next to Sasser and his corkscrew jumper. Don't get me wrong, Sass did a lot of things very well (obviously .... see the stats), and I want him to succeed in whatever he does. But Hop is a much better shooter.

Having said that, Hop's outside shot is not what it needs to be for him to succeed in the NBA at his size. And he never has been as quick or explosive at SMU (thanks to all his injuries) as he was as a senior in high school. As much as I love Hop, and everything he's done for SMU, I don't see him getting drafted, and the odds of a free agent making an NBA team are slim, at best. Hop needs to stay in school and do everything humanly possible to be 100 percent healthy next year to show his true ability to pro scouts. With the underclassmen and international players in each draft, he needs to have a sensational year to get a fair shake from NBA teams.

BHop needs to stay in school and get his degree. Whether it's in the NBA, NDBA or Europe, he can make a living playing hoops.

[OldPony]

I doubt seriously that he would get a very good deal in Europe. How many guards coming out of college make the NBA and Europe combined each year. There are probably that many point guards in the US better than Hop. He will be best served by getting a degree and using his name while he has one n Dallas business. If he decides to "go pro" then I wish him the best. It is not advice I would give him though unless he can be assured of fairly decent money (more than $150,000 per year) here or abroad. I don't see that happening.
Unfortunately, most guys who leave early don't finish school later so even a decent salary should be looked at hard by BHop vs the value of the degree. Selfishly, I want him to stay. It is also the best advice I can give him unless he knows something about his prospects from trusted scouts that we don't know.

[Pony_Fan]

I am glad a few people agree with me here. Thanks OP and SportsHawaii.
He's is just not pro material right now. I am not even sure his wrist will even fully heal for a while?

[EastStang]

How tall is he? He's just barely tall enough to play 2 on some teams as a back-up at best. He's the right size for a point guard and on some teams the point is a great place to be (ask Gilbert Arenas). On the other hand, he has not developed into the clutch player that Blake at Maryland was. And Blake is a back-up. I think if this draft has a dearth of point guards, then he might get drafted, if not, then he's on the boat to Italy at best in which case he ought to stay.

[The XtC]

[quote="ALEX LIFESON"]the Xtc what do you think......is Hop moving on?[/quote]

Only if he hires an agent. Otherwise, he'll be back.

I think it would be great for Bryan to declare for the draft, and see if he can get invited to some of the Pre-draft camps. In that atmospere he's going to find out more about his own game and where he stands compared to other prospects, and he'll get advice from scouts and people who actually know what they're talking about. He'll be told at least the following:

1.) There are less than a handful of players in the NBA his height. Three years ago he compensated for this with dizzying athleticism and speed, but he's lost a step and no longer plays above the rim. Taller guards will post him up on defense, and he's going to have real trouble getting his shot off.

2.) He doesnt take care of the ball. Alot of his turnovers arent forced by the defense, they're his own mental mistakes. An NBA team isnt going to trust him to run the point.

I'm not sure another year in school will improve his prospects that much, he's a little old to be hoping for a sudden growth spurt. He would need to get back into peak condition, regain his quickness and spring, to have a legitimate shot at being drafted. However, I dont think he knows that yet. Declaring for the draft and going through the process will show him alot. If he doesnt hire an agent, he can come back.

[Dooby]

I'm sure most of you know all the circumstances, can see the future and have the kids best interest at heart. It doesnt hurt you if he passes on hundreds of thousands of dollars and then gets injured. If a guy has maxed out his body and potential, he has to think about that. Do you guys really think honing his fundamentals against WAC/NCUSA competiion is going to take him to another level? In case you havent noticed, pro ball isn't exactly all about fundamentals anyway.

It is not necessarily only about honing his fundamentals or skills. You just bashed the WAC/NCUSA but he still isn't even regarded as the best in these two leagues. With an additional year, he will raise his stock and might actually be drafted. This will guarantee him money that will make a difference in his life. No matter how good he does in the NBA. Just making a few hundred thousand will not do this. Remember there are practically only two rounds in the NBA Draft.

If he is really that good and has the potential that you talk about then he take out an insurance policy on himself like Ashley Lelie did and will not have to worry about injury.
Just my 2 cents.

Mahalo,
Scott
www.sportshawaii.om
"Hawaii's Fan Based Sports Page"

Previous Sports Angel: Priscilla

scottsportshawaii, feel free to post more of this any time.

Yowza.